Why are there so many different denominations?

[Deleted]

Nothing smart to say in response, just wanted to add something. This is the exact reason why I fell away from Christ when I was young, until I became saved a few years ago. I grew up in a very non-Christian home (mom left us, dad raised us as best as he could). Grandma took us to her Baptist church quite a bit. Sometimes Grandpa (married to Grandma) would take us to his Presbyterian church (why did Grandma and Grandpa have different churches??). During the summer we went to a few different Vacation Bible Schools - including one at a Lutheran church down the street (dad was happy to be rid of us for a while!). And every month or so we'd stay the night at a relative's house who was Catholic ... so we'd go to mass on Sunday morning. I dumped everything out of confusion when I was about 13 and claimed to be agnostic. When I started homeschooling, I added 3 Mormon families and one Seventh Day family to my long list of Christian friends
I thank God I am through with the confusion (well, for the most part!), but a good point has been brought up. It is hard to have friends of different religions when you all think you are right. The more I follow the Bible though, the less my friends seem to want to hang out - we are so unequally yoked Well, mostly it's been the Mormons and my non-Christian friends, but I'm sure the others will follow soon enough ... I'm 'too conservative' and 'too strict'. I just live my life as best as I can according to the Bible - and try to be a good example of Christ and His love. My children do the same.

[George]

Sister Alice, it is best to follow the Bible in all things. No one can refute the things the Bible has to say unless it happens to be one of those groups who has printed their own Bible.

The King James Bible says what it means. All we have to do is study to show ourselves approved and to understand what it is saying. The Bible does an excellent job of interpreting itself. When a portion of scripture says something that is what it means. I do not believe the Bible to be open to any argument. One either believes it or doesn't. It is tha simple. It is not possible to believe some of the Bible or even most of the Bible.

All the words of God are pure. The Bible itself tells us it is not open to any private interpretation.

Baptists are known for reading their Bibles. I am a staunch Bible-believing and Bible-teaching Baptist. If the Bible says it that settles it. As long as I maintain my relationship with God through His Holy Word I don't really care what anyone else says. If it can be shown me in the Bible that is the only proper answer as far as I am concerned.

Your circle of so-called friends will decrease. The Bible tells us we ought to stay away from them.

(Romans 16:17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

(2 Corinthians 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

In the ministry of Reformers Unanimous one of our Ten Principles says, "Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord." Amen!

In Christ,
George

[George]

Ah me, I forgot to put something very important in that last post! Duh!

I am a Christian first, foremost and always. I choose to be affiliated with the independent, fundamental Baptists because their doctrine and statement of faith is the closest to the teachings of the Bible I have found.

In Christ,
George

[Brother Ben]

Just for the record, the Catholic church has split many times over the centuries. We call them Protestants. The Catholic church was not the first church, the Lord's Church was. They were a later century counterfeit. I don't care who calls any of them the "church fathers," they were not the true followers of Christ.

Denominationalism was a result of groups that grew until there needed to be some form of control. They would meet draw a basic constitution and/or by-laws and elect officers. They would start schools, mission agencies, and usually a publication to keep the faithful advised.

These things in and of themselves are not bad, and God has greatly used many movements over the centuries of church history. However, we must remember that these movements were made by men and were doomed to corruption when unspiritual men reached offices of influence and began swaying the movement away from their, many times, godly moorings.

The "true church" of the Living God, is an organism, not an organization. Jesus said,

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Just for our Catholic readers sake, Peter was the small pebble, but Christ was the Great Rock of Refuge upon which the true churches would continuously be built upon. When any movement began to stray for the simplicity of the Gospel and the truth of the word of God, the Lord removed His candlestick and went elsewhere.

The Lord is no respecter of persons and will use any movement that honors his Son and adheres to His word.

Too often the "movement" and it's speakers, are so elevated that when something happens to shake that movement people fall away from their commitment. The problem was that the focus was on the group and not Christ.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

Bro. Ben

[homeschoolmom]

That is exactly what I say so I guess I'm explaining it correctly if you say the same thing. I like to get all different ideas. I get many opportunities to discuss my faith and I really try hard to get it right..so people can understand it easily.

Good point about the Cathoics spliting into Protestants. I never thought of that.

I say that Baptists follow the Bible and anyone can pick it up, read and understand it. No further analysis by anyone else is really needed.

Oh, by the way, these people are not my close friends. Just people I mingle with here and there. I work one shift a week. I also bump into other homeschoolers etc. Everyone knows my faith and I'm very open to discuss it. I think my clothing choices interest people and it takes off from there.

Blessings,
Alice